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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2012-11-19 ENR Packet AGENDA CITY OF MAPLEWOOD ENVIRONMENTAL AND NATURAL RESOURCE COMMISSION Monday, November 19, 2012 7 p.m. Council Chambers - Maplewood City Hall 1830 County Road B East 1. Call to Order 2. Roll Call 3. Approval of Agenda 4. Approval of Minutes: a. October 15, 2012 5. New Business a. Annual Sustainability Report 6. Unfinished Business a. Wetland Ordinance Amendments 7. Visitor Presentations 8. Commission Presentations 9. Staff Presentations a. Maplewood Nature Center Programs 10. Adjourn Agenda Item 4.a MINUTES CITY OF MAPLEWOOD ENVIRONMENTAL AND NATURAL RESOURCES COMMISSION 7:00 p.m., Monday, October 15, 2012 Council Chambers, City Hall 1830 County Road B East 1. CALL TO ORDER A meeting of the Environmental and Natural Resources Commission was called to order at 7:02 p.m. by Chair Edmundson. 2. ROLL CALL Randee Edmundson, Chair Present Judith Johannessen, Vice Chair Present Carol Mason Sherrill, Commissioner Present Ann Palzer, Commissioner Present Dale Trippler, Commissioner Present Ginny Yingling, Commissioner Present Staff Present Shann Finwall, Environmental Planner City Engineer, Michael Thompson Council Liaison Present Kathleen Juenemann 3. APPROVAL OF AGENDA The commission added 4 items under commission presentations. Storm drain clean up event for County Road C, Fish Creek, Tree Discussion, and Fall Clean Up. Commissioner Trippler moved to approve the agenda as amended. Seconded by Commissioner Yingling. Ayes – All The motion passed. 4. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Commissioner Yingling requested to add an additional comment on page 2 under comments made by Ron Cockriel. It should note that he raised a concern about the extent of the paved trail along Fish Creek. Commissioner Trippler moved to approve the September 17, 2012, Environmental and Natural Resources Commission Meeting Minutes as amended. Seconded by Commissioner Mason Sherrill. Ayes – All The motion passed. October 15, 2012 1 Environmental and Natural Resources Commission Meeting Minutes 5. NEW BUSINESS a. Living Streets Policy i. Environmental Planner, Shann Finwall introduced the item and gave a brief report. ii. City Engineer, Michael Thompson addressed the commission and gave an overview of the Living Streets Policy and answered questions of the commission. The commission made the following comments regarding the policy: 1. Has the city thought of posting a no parking ban on some Maplewood streets in the winter due to the narrowness of some of the new roads as outlined in the policy? The residential streets are designed for parking on one side only. Also, there is no parking allowed from 2 a.m. to 6 a.m. in Maplewood. 2. Cul-de-sacs with plantings in the center. 3. The City should assist residents with a curb cut to allow street runoff to enter existing rain gardens adjacent streets. 4. Increase Environmental Utility Fee rebates for implementing best practices. 5. Rain garden clean-up days to get the community to assist with cleaning and weeding rain gardens. 6. Crosswalks need to be clearly marked with signs. Commissioner Trippler moved to recommend approval of the Living Streets Policy as amended by the Commission. Seconded by Commissioner Edmundson. Ayes - All The motion passed. b. Resolution of Appreciation for Bill Schreiner i. Environmental Planner, Shann Finwall discussed the resolution of appreciation for Bill Schreiner. The Commission discussed Commissioner Schreiner’s term on the Commission and thanked him for his efforts. Of particular note was his work on the City’s organized trash collection. Commissioner Yingling moved to approve the resolution of appreciation for Bill Schreiner. Seconded by Commissioner Trippler. Ayes – All The motion passed. 6. UNFINISHED BUSINESS a. Shoreland/Wetland Ordinance Amendments i. Environmental Planner, Shann Finwall gave the report on the Shoreland/Wetland Ordinance Amendments. ii. Maplewood resident and Attorney, Sharon Sandeen who lives on Wakefield Lake addressed the commission on the Shoreland/Wetland Ordinance. Ms Sandeen would like the buffers adjacent lakes to remain as written in the current ordinance. These alternative buffers were a compromise for property owners who live on lakes, but have wetland October 15, 2012 2 Environmental and Natural Resources Commission Meeting Minutes edges. The City Council had agreed that these wetlands are used differently than freestanding wetlands. The commission made the following comments on the amendments: 1. Regulations for wetlands adjacent lakes should remain in the wetland ordinance. 2. The city should not make amendments to the Shoreland Ordinance at this time, just revise the wetland ordinance. 3. Buffer sizes for wetlands adjacent lakes should be the same as for freestanding wetlands. 4. Because wetlands adjacent lakes are used differently than freestanding wetlands, waivers should be allowed for implementing best management practices. Staff will bring back examples of how many properties are affected by regulations pertaining to wetlands adjacent lakes. The example will also include how the property is affected by the wetland buffer and shoreland setback requirements. 7. VISITOR PRESENTATIONS Councilmember Kathleen Juenemann addressed the commission regarding the Living Streets Policy and Wetland/Shoreland Ordinance amendments. She noted the importance of educating residents about the value of trees in the boulevard as we move forward with the Living Streets Policy. Bike lanes and sidewalks are very important so she was glad that was in the plan. Residents should ensure they check with the City regarding their shoreline or wetland edge property. There may be some restrictions on setbacks or buffer requirements. With the proposed changes to the wetland ordinance, the city should promote a sensible compromise to what a property owner can do on their property and how to best protect the shoreline and wetland edges. It is best to avoid variances to the buffers and shoreline whenever possible. 8. COMMISSION PRESENTATIONS a. Storm drain clean up event for County Road C – Chair Edmundson Chair Edmundson stated on October 13, 2012, her neighborhood on County Road C celebrated the Girl Scout’s Centennial Day of Service by hosting a storm drain clean up event. During the event leaves were removed from storm drains to keep them from running into the storm drain and watershed. The neighborhood, along with the Girl Scouts from the Northern Lights Service Unit, removed 72 bags of leaves from the street. Chair Edmundson presented a video of the Centennial Day of Service event. b. Fish Creek – Commissioner Yingling Commissioner Yingling stated there will be a fundraising dinner for Fish Creek on November 3, 2012, at the Maplewood Community Center from 6 to 9:30 p.m. The event is called the Fish Creek Affair. For more information and to make a reservation, contact the Maplewood Community Center at 651-249-2230. c. Tree Discussion – Commissioner Mason Sherrill Commissioner Mason Sherrill shared a video on a large tree in Texas that was moved instead of removed. The video showed how the city valued such a large tree to go to such extents to move the tree. October 15, 2012 3 Environmental and Natural Resources Commission Meeting Minutes b. Fall Clean Up – Commissioner Trippler Commissioner Trippler gave an update on the Maplewood Fall Clean Up event. The event was held on Saturday, October 13, 2012, from 8:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. at Aldridge Arena. There were several vendors who took items for reuse and recycling such as bikes, car seats, furniture, carpet, concrete and landscape rock. Staff also thanked those that helped on the event. An official update with number of cars and materials collected will presented to the City Council once the final numbers are received. 9. STAFF PRESENTATIONS a. Maplewood Nature Center Programs For information on programs at the Maplewood Nature Center call 651-249-2170. 10. ADJOURNMENT Chair Edmundson adjourned the meeting at 9:03 p.m. October 15, 2012 4 Environmental and Natural Resources Commission Meeting Minutes Agenda Item 5.a MEMORANDUM TO: Environmental and Natural Resources Commission FROM: Shann Finwall, AICP, Environmental Planner SUBJECT: Annual Sustainability Report DATE: November 15, 2012 for the November 19 ENR Commission Meeting INTRODUCTION The Sustainability Chapter of Maplewood’s 2030 Comprehensive Plan outlines how the City will improve on the natural and built environment by using best practices for sustainability. Property values and the City’s overall marketability will rise over time by improving upon these environments. The vision for sustainability as outlined in the Chapter is as follows: The City of Maplewood, in order to ensure stewardship of its environment, will promote sustainable development and practices for the preservation, design, and maintenance of its natural and built environments. Developments and practices should maintain or enhance economic opportunity and community well-being while protecting and restoring the natural environment that people, economies, and ecological systems depend on. The Annual Sustainability Report is provided as an update on the City’s sustainability goals and to obtain comment and feedback on strategies needed to continue the mission. DISCUSSION Environmental and Natural Resources Commission The Environmental and Natural Resources Commission is charged with developing and promoting sustainable practices for City policies and procedures. In 2012 the ENR Commission worked on the following environmental issues: 1. Annual Review of the Maplewood Residential Recycling Program 2. Capital Improvement Plan for 2013 - 2017 3. Maplewood Trash Plan Implementation – Trash Cart Purchase and Trash Cart Implementation Plan 4. Solid Waste Management Ordinance and Standards 5. Spring Clean Up and Home Expo (April 21) 5. Waterfest (June 2) 7. East Metro Public Safety Training Center and Marshlands (Century Ave. and Highway 5) – Review of Project and Wetland Map Change 8. National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System Phase II and Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System Permit 2011 Annual Report 9. 3M Trail Concept Plans – Exemption to Wetland Ordinance for Semi-Public Trail Within the Wetland Buffer 11. Maplewood Dump Site Clean Up 12. Keller Golf Course Renovations – Approval of the Removal of Two Incidental Wetlands and Reclassification of One Wetland 13. Fish Creek Master Plan and Management Plan 14. National Night Out – Recycling Bin Distribution (August 7) 15. Fall Clean Up (October 13) 16. Living Streets Policy 17. Shoreland/Wetland Ordinance Amendments Minnesota Green Step Cities Overview of Program Minnesota GreenStep Citiesis a voluntary challenge, assistance and recognition program to help cities achieve their sustainability goals through implementation of 28 best practices. Each best practice can be implemented by completing one or more specific actions from a list of four to eight actions. These actions are tailored to all Minnesota cities, focus on cost savings and energy use reduction, and encourage innovation. The program outlines four “Steps” of recognition: Step One – pass a resolution authorizing the city to participate in the program, register, and provide details of best practices accomplished; Step Two – implement at least 8 best practices; Step Three – implement at least 16 best practices; Step Four – this recognition Step is still being refined by the GreenStep Cities steering committee. Maplewood Participation The City of Maplewood has been participating in the Minnesota GreenStep Cities program since December 2010. There are currently 48 other cities participating in the program. GreenStep Award Each June the League of Minnesota Cities formally recognizes all new and continuing GreenStep Cities at its annual conference. Last year, the first year of Maplewood’s participation in the program, the City was recognized as a Step Two city for having accomplished 12 best practices, well above the 8 needed to achieve this status. Since that time the City has implemented 4 more best practices, for a total of 16. On June 21 the City was again recognized as a Step Two city. Step Three was not accomplished due to the fact that only 4 of the 9 “required” best practices have been implemented. However, many of those are close to being finished including: Complete Green Streets (Living Streets Policy) – the City must formally adopt a Living or Green Streets Policy. Mobility Options – the City must launch an active living campaign, identify on the City’s website mobility options, and launch an e-WorkPlace Minnesota campaign. Benchmarks and Community Engagement – The City must organize goals and outcome measures from all city plans and report to community members data that show progress toward meeting those goals. This could include reporting measurable outcomes from the City’s comprehensive plan or sustainability initiatives. 2 Green Business Development – Support new emerging green businesses and green jobs through targeted assistance. This could include creating a Commercial Property Assessed Clean Energy (PACE) program. The City will continue to work toward implementing these best practices. We hope to have achieved the Step Three recognition by 2013. Milestone The GreenStep Cities advisors awarded Maplewood three stars for the implementation of best practice #27 - solid waste reduction for organizing the City’s residential solid waste collection. The organization of the City’s residential solid waste collection system proved to be a large undertaking for the City in 2012. The City revised its solid waste management ordinance and created standards for the new system. The City purchased trash carts and managed the cart orders from residents. The carts were delivered by the City’s trash hauling contractor, Allied Waste Services, in September. The new organized solid waste system officially began on October 1, 2012. The Maplewood Trash Plan will allow the City to better manage its solid waste. One example of better management is the fact that all residential trash will now be processed at the Resource Recovery Facility in Newport. At the facility trash is sorted to remove items which can be recycled, and the remainder turned into refuse residual which is burned to create energy. Previously, some of Maplewood’s residential trash was being disposed of in landfills. In 2013 the City will begin planning for other aspects of the program including a residential compost collection system and pay as you throw methods to reduce waste. Environmental Recognitions Blue Star City One of the GreenStep Cities best practices that the City recently completed is registration in the Minnesota Blue Star Awards program for Stormwater Management. The program is a certification and award program that offers municipalities that excel in stormwater management the positive public recognition that they deserve. Communities that are awarded the Blue Star are those taking a leadership role in protecting Minnesota’s water resources and public health through excellence in stormwater management. The program assesses a City on a wide range of policies and practices in three core areas: 1) Water Friendly Planning and Preservation; 2) Stormwater Management Standards and Practices; 3) Stormwater Pollution Prevention. After registering and submitting our assessment, the City received a score of 139 of 193 possible points. In August the Blue Star program contacted the City to notify us that our score placed us fourth out of 78 cities participating. The City has been recognized with an award for Excellence in Community Stormwater Management. The Blue Star program will be sending a representative to an upcoming City Council meeting to present the award. 3 Environmental Stewardship Award The City of Maplewood was selected for an Environmental Stewardship Award by the American Public Works Association – Minnesota Chapter (MPWA). Sherri Buss, a representative from MPWA, will be presenting the award and plaque to the Mayor and City Council on November 15 to formally recognize Maplewood’s extraordinary environmental leadership efforts. To view the full report on the award visit www.ci.maplewood.mn.us/cc and click on the November 15 City Council packet. Green Team The Green Team is made up of a group of staff who work together on environmental and sustainability issues at a city operation level. The Green Team acts as the steering committee for the GreenStep Cities program. In addition to working on creating more sustainable city operations, the Green Team’s 2012 goal was to work toward one of the GreenStep Cities best practices - implementing a local foods campaign. A local foods brochure and webpage are being designed to guide employees and residents toward healthy and local food options. Education The Naturalist at the Maplewood Nature Center offer environmental education programming throughout the year. Programming is designed for school groups, preschools, scouts, birthday parties and adult education. The City also publishes a quarterly environmental insert called Maplewood Seasons. Each quarter the Seasons focus on important environmental topics. Summary Maplewood is in a unique position toimplement and influence sustainability by the policies we set, by the approaches we use in City operations, and by the promotion of sustainability through City-wide education. The City should continue to strive to be a leader in the area of sustainability. RECOMMENDATION Review the information provided in the annual sustainability report and offer comments and feedback. Links: 1. Maplewood 2030 Comprehensive Plan: www.ci.maplewood.mn.us/index.aspx?nid=567 2. Maplewood Green Team: www.ci.maplewood.mn.us/sustainability 3. Minnesota GreenStep Cities: www.greenstep.pca.state.mn.us 4. Minnesota Blue Star Awards program for Stormwater Management : www.bluestarmn.org 4 Agenda Item 6.a. MEMORANDUM TO:Environmental and Natural Resources Commission FROM:Shann Finwall, AICP, Environmental Planner SUBJECT: Wetland Ordinance Amendment DATE:November 15, 2012, for the November 19 ENR Commission Meeting INTRODUCTION The City Council adopted a wetland ordinance in December 2009. Because wetlands adjacent lakes are used by residents differently than freestanding wetlands, the City Council included reduced buffer requirements for these wetlands. The ordinance included a sunset clause which has the reduced buffers expiring at the end of 2012, or when the city revises the shoreland ordinance to include regulations for these wetlands, whichever comes first. In September and October 2012 the Environmental and Natural Resources (ENR) Commission reviewed the Shoreland and Wetland Ordinances and directed staff to make the following changes: Regulations for wetlands adjacent lakes should remain in the wetland ordinance. No amendments should be made to the Shoreland Ordinance at this time, just revisions to the wetland ordinance. Change the buffers for wetlands adjacent lakes to the match the buffer requirements for freestanding wetlands. Build in flexibilities for property owners who live on lakes with wetland fringes to allow for buffer encroachments without a variance as long as they meet certain stormwater best management practices. DISCUSSION Properties Impacted There are five lakes in Maplewood that have wetland fringes including Beaver Lake, Kohlman Lake, Lake Oehrline, Spoon Lake, and Wakefield Lake. Only three of these lakes have residential areas that would be affected by regulations pertaining to wetlands including Beaver Lake, Lake Oehrline, and Wakefield Lake. Forty residential properties on these three lakes have wetland fringes adjacent their property. Refer to the maps attached. These properties are bound by the City’s Wetland and Shoreland Ordinances. Wetland/Shoreland Regulations The Wetland Ordinance requires buffers be maintained to the wetland edge. The Shoreland Ordinance requires structure setbacks to the ordinary high water mark of a lake. Following are the combined Wetland and Shoreland Ordinances’ regulations for the 40 residential properties located on the three lakes with wetland fringes: Shoreland Structure Wetland Wetland Buffer Lake Classification Setback Classification (Not Alt. Buffers) Wakefield Class 3 50 feet Manage B 75 feet Oehrline Class 4 75 feet Manage B 75 feet Beaver Class 5 75 feet Manage A 100 feet The Wetland Ordinance allows residential properties that have pre-existing nonconforming lawn areas (mowed buffers) to use, maintain, and alter the nonconforming lawn area. However, no new permanent structures could be built within a nonconforming lawn area without a variance. Additionally, work within a wetland, stream, or buffer which was approved by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources water permitting process and access to those areas by a trail which is limited to the width of the permit. Aerial maps reflect that a majority of the 40 residential properties have pre-existing nonconforming lawn areas to some degree. It appears that there are only seven properties with the required naturalized buffer located on Beaver Lake. Wetland Buffer Encroachment Flexibilities For possible wetland buffer encroachment flexibilities, the ENR Commission should review best management practices and mitigation strategies currently included in the Wetland Ordinance. These sections encourage practices which will minimize negative effects of stormwater runoff on the environment and the loss of wildlife habitat when a property owner or contractor has altered or will alter a wetland, stream, or buffer. Best practices and mitigation strategies are as follows: Best Practices 1. Restore buffer with native plantings. 2. Manage weeds in buffer. 3. Reduce stormwater runoff and/or improve the quality of stormwater runoff entering a wetland or stream. This may be achieved through the following strategies or other administrator approved best management practices for dealing with stormwater. These practices are to be located outside of the wetland buffer. a. Reduce amount of pavement on site (i.e. fewer parking stalls, narrower driveways, shared parking with other businesses). b. Use pervious pavement such as pavers or porous asphalt. c. Use turf pavers or modified turf areas for overflow parking. d. Install rain garden or infiltration basin. e. Install rock trench or rock pit. f. Install filter strip of grass or native vegetation. g. Install surface sand filter or underground filter. h. Install native plantings on site to reduce fertilizer use and improve infiltration. i. Install a green roof on buildings. j. Install grit chambers, sediment traps, or forebays. 2 Mitigation 1. Reducing or avoiding the impact by limiting the degree or amount of the action, such as by using appropriate technology. 2. Rectifying the impact by repairing, rehabilitating, or restoring the buffer. 3. Reducing or eliminating the impact over time by prevention and maintenance operations during the life of the actions. 4. Compensating for the impact by replacing, enhancing, or providing substitute buffer land at a two-to-one ratio. 5. Monitoring the impact and taking appropriate corrective measures. 6. Where the city requires restoration or replacement of a buffer, the owner or contractor shall replant the buffer with native vegetation. A restoration plan must be approved by the city before planting. 7. Any additional conditions required by the applicable watershed district and/or the soil and water conservation district shall apply. 8. A wetland or buffer mitigation surety, such as a cash deposit or letter of credit, of one hundred and fifty percent (150%) of estimated cost for mitigation. The surety will be required based on the size of the project as deemed necessary by the administrator. Funds will be held by the city until successful completion of restoration as determined by the city after a final inspection. Wetland or buffer 9. Mitigation surety does not include other sureties required pursuant to any other provision of city ordinance or city directive. Recommendation During the November 19 ENR Commission meeting, staff will present a more detailed map reflecting how the Wetland and Shoreland Ordinances’ regulations impact two of the 40 properties mentioned above. The information supplied in this staff report and the maps presented at the meeting will help guide final wetland buffer regulations for wetlands adjacent lakes and buffer encroachment flexibilities for these properties. Attachments: Wetland Fringe Maps (Beaver Lake, Lake Oehrline, and Wakefield Lake) 3 Beaver Lake - Wetland Fringe Classified Manage APage 1of 1 Beaver Lake - Wetland Fringe Classified Manage A Copyright MaplewoodBaseMap Chad Bergo Land Use Classifications: This data set is available to everyone. Fees and policy are published in the Ramsey County Fee Schedule. Charges are variable and are subject to change. See the Ramsey County Fee Schedule for specific information on fees and policy. http://atlas/aspnet_client/ESRI/WebADF/PrintTaskLayoutTemplates/default.htm11/15/2012 Lake Oehrline - Entire Lake Classified as Manage B WetlandPage 1of 1 Lake Oehrline - Entire Lake Classified as Manage B Wetland Copyright MaplewoodBaseMap Chad Bergo Land Use Classifications: This data set is available to everyone. Fees and policy are published in the Ramsey County Fee Schedule. Charges are variable and are subject to change. See the Ramsey County Fee Schedule for specific information on fees and policy. http://atlas/aspnet_client/ESRI/WebADF/PrintTaskLayoutTemplates/default.htm11/15/2012 Wakefield Lake - Wetland Fringe Classified as Manage BPage 1of 1 Wakefield Lake - Wetland Fringe Classified as Manage B Copyright MaplewoodBaseMap Chad Bergo Land Use Classifications: This data set is available to everyone. Fees and policy are published in the Ramsey County Fee Schedule. Charges are variable and are subject to change. See the Ramsey County Fee Schedule for specific information on fees and policy. http://atlas/aspnet_client/ESRI/WebADF/PrintTaskLayoutTemplates/default.htm11/15/2012